Expansible mandrel assembly

ABSTRACT

The specification and drawings disclose an expansible drum or mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding and unwinding sheet material such as paper and the like. The disclosed assembly comprises a rotatably mounted center shaft carrying a plurality of radially movable bar members which define a winding surface. The bar members are connected to the center shaft by a plurality of pivot arms which permit them to be moved radially inward and outward relative to the center shaft to change the effective outer diameter of the assembly. The pivot arms are formed by lengths of roller chain at least threee links in length. One end link of each length of roller chain is joined to respective ones of the sections whereas the other end link of each length is joined fixedly to the center shaft. The links are shown as being connected to the shaft and the arms by small plates which extend over adjacent chain rollers with a screw or bolt member passing through the plate and between the rollers into the part being connected. Additionally, the same general type of arrangement is used for driving the bar members radially in that a movable collar is carried on the center shaft and links of chain connect from the collar to respective ones of the bar members. The assembly also includes means for selectively adjusting the position of the sleeve so that a driving movement is imparted to the arms to cause them to pivot radially inward and outward relative to the center shaft.

ilnited States Patent 1 Madachy EXPANSIBLE MANDREL ASSEMBLY [75} Inventor: John F..Madachy, Mayfield Heights,

Ohio

[73 I Assignee: Loopco. Industries, Inc., Cleveland,

Ohio

22 Filed: 4w. '2'; 1911 21 Appl. No.: 130,647

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy ArtorneyFay, Sharpe and Mulholland [57] ABSTRACT The specification and drawings disclose an expansible drum or mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding and unwinding sheet material such as paper and the like. The disclosed assembly comprises a rotat- [111 3,747,868 [451 July 24, 1973 ably mounted center shaft carrying a plurality of radially movable bar members which define a winding surface. The bar members are connected to the center shaft by a plurality of pivot arms which permit them to be moved radially inward and outward relative to the center shaft to change the effective outer diameter of the assembly. The pivot arms are formed by lengths of roller chain at least threee links in length. One end link of each length of roller chain is joined to respective ones of the sections whereas the other end link of each length is joined fixedly to the center shaft. The links are shown as being connected to the shaft and the arms by small plates which extend over adjacent chain rollers with a screw or bolt member passing through the plate and between the rollers into the part being connected. Additionally, the same general type of arrangement is used for driving the bar members radially in that a movable collar is carried on the center shaft and links of chain connect from the collar to respective ones of the bar members. The assembly also includes means for selectively adjusting the position of the sleeve so that a driving movement is imparted to the arms to cause them to pivot radially inward and outward relative to the center shaft.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJULZMQH 3.147. 868

SHEEI 1 0F 2 INVENTOR. JOHN F. MADACHY BY ay. 5W 8 MuMol/and ATTORNEYS PAIENIEU 1112 SHEET 2 BF 2 fly VA INVENTOR. JOHN F MADACHY BY I 44 .51 MM ATTORNEYS EXPANSIBLE MANDREL ASSEMBLY The subject invention is directed toward an expansible mandrel or drum and an improved actuating assembly.

The invention is especially suited for use in drums of the type commonly referred to as paper winding drums and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it should be appreciated the invention is capable of being embodied in many different devices.

In one of its broader aspects, the invention concerns a linkage or actuating mechanism which can be manufactured very simply and inexpensively from commercially available roller chain. The arrangement eliminates much precision machining, bearing installation, etc. Further, the resulting structure is rugged and inexpensive and maintenance is simplified.

A more specific aspect of the invention concerns an expansible winding drum having radially movable sections which define a winding surface. The sections are connected to a rotatable center shaft by a plurality of pivot arms. The pivot arms are formed by lengths of roller chain at least three links in length. One end link of each length of roller chain is joined to a respective section and the other end link is joined to the center shaft. Preferably, but not necessarily, the links are connected by plates which extend over adjacent rollers and a screw or bolt which passes through the plate and between the rollers into the part being connected.

Through the use of the roller chain sections, a double ended pivot arm is provided which is both compact and rugged. When used in an expansible winding drum, the drums can be manufactured at a substantial saving. Note that the roller chain eliminates the need for precision machining of pivot arms and installation of bearings. Moreover, alignment problems are eliminated and maintenance and repair is greatly facilitated since merely by removing two or three bolts, a chain section can be removed and a new section installed. In effect, a new pivot arm and bearings are available for the price of three or four links of chain.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is the provision of a device which allows double ended pivotal linkages to be constructed at a fractionof the prior cost.

Yet another object is the provision of a double ended pivot linkage which can be formed rapidly from commercially available roller chain.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an expansible winding reel which utilizes commercially available roller chain as the pivot and drive linkages for the expanding movement.

A still further object is the provision of a paper winding reel which is simple and inexpensive to construct and maintain.

of the actuating and pivoting mechanisms used in the preferred embodiment.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred structural embodiment of a paper winding reel utilizing the subject invention is shown as comprising a cylindrical center shaft 10 which is supported in cantilever fashion from a bearing and support assembly, not shown. The center shaft 10 is, in the preferred embodiment, a solid shaft formed from any material having the ecessary physical properties. Carried by the shaft and connected thereto in a manner which permits them to be moved radially are four elongated bar members 12. Each of the bar members 12 has a generally semicylindrical cross-section. As shown in FIG. 2, the bars 12 are spaced radially outward a uniform distance from the shaft 10 so that their outer extent, in effect, defines an imaginary cylinder about which paper or other material can be wound. The bars 12 are carried by drive and linkage assemblies which permit them to be moved radially from a collapsed inner position to an expanded outer position. The movement of the bars 12 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Note that a dotted line showing 12 represents the collapsed position whereas the solid line showing identified by 12 is the expanded position.

Of particular importance to the invention is the mounting and drive arrangement which allows the bars 12 to be expanded and contracted radially as required. Prior to the subject invention, somewhat complicated and complex pivot arm arrangements were generally utilized. As previously mentioned, the subject invention makes use of commercially available roller chain having pluralities of recurring links which permits the necessary pivoting and drive movements to be effected with a device that is extremely simple to construct and use. Specifically, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the four bars 12 is individually connected to the center shaft 10 by a pair of link assemblies 14. Additionally, a drive link assembly 16 is connected between the right-hand end of each bar member 12 and a manually adjustable actuating assembly 18. Each of the pivot assemblies 14 are, in the preferred embodiment, of identical construction. Accordingly, only one will be described in detail but the description thereof is to be taken as equally applicable to the others.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, it will be seen that pivot assembly 14 comprises a section of roller chain 20 having five links. The construction of the roller chain is conventional and includes the usual side links 22 which are positioned in opposed pairs and interconnected in the manner shown by shafts 23 which are positively joined to the outermost links of alternate pairs such as by welding, or the like. Rollers 24 are positioned between the side plates and rotatably carried on the shafts or pivots 23.

The end links of the chain sections are positively connected to the center shaft and the bars, respectively. This can be accomplished by many different arrangements; however, they are preferably connected so that they can be readily released. In the subject embodiment, the links are connected to the center shaft by a small rectangular cover plate member 26 which is positioned over the leftmost link (as viewed in FIG. 3). A machine screw 28 passes through the plate 26 and between the rollers 24. A lock washer or the like 29 is also provided. As shown, the machine screw 28 is connected into a tapped opening formed in shaft 10. As

can be appreciated, this prevents the first link from having any movement relative to the shaft 10. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the spaced side links 22 of the first link engage the surface of shaft 10. Thus, when the screw is tightened, contour of the surface of shaft engaging between the side links prevents rotation of the links about the screw.

The three right-hand links are also positively connected to the under side of bar member 12 by generally the same type of arrangement. Note that a flat metal plate 30 extends across the rollers 24 of all three links. Openings are formed through the links and between adjacent pairs of rollers. Machine screws extend through the openings into tapped holes in the bar member 12. Additionally, the machine screws 32 are provided with lock washers. This arrangement holds the right-hand links firmly in engagement with the bar member and prevents relative angular movement between the two.

As can be appreciated, the links permit the bar members 12 to be moved radially outward to the solid line position or inwardly to the dotted line position. The extent of permissible inward movement can be adjusted by providing fixed stops to control the total permissible extent of inward movement. In the subject embodiment, the inward movement is limited to the dotted line position by a collar 36 connected to the shaft 10 in any convenient manner such as through the use of a set screw 38. A similar collar is located at the left-hand set oflinkage assemblies 14, as shown in FIG. 1. By changing the collar 36, the total permissible amount of inward movement can be varied.

The drive link assemblies 16 are constructed in generally the same manner as the link assemblies 14. As shown, link assembly 16 comprises a length of roller chain having three links. The first right-hand link is connected to a drive sleeve 40 by a machine screw 42 which passes through a rectangular metal plate 44 positioned on the rollers and between the side links 46. The left-hand link (as viewed in FIG. 3) is similarly connected to the under side of the bar 12 by a machine screw 48. The left-hand link also has a small metal plate 50 which is positioned between the side links 46.

Referring again to the drive sleeve 40, it should be understood that movement of the sleeve 40 in a longitudinal direction will cause simultaneous movement of the bar members 12 in a corresponding longitudinal direction. Because of the pivot link assemblies 14, the longitudinal movement causes the bars to move radially. Note that movement of the drive sleeve to the left causes counter-clockwise pivoting movement of the link assemblies 14 (as viewed in FIG. 3) causing the bar 12 to move to the left and swing radially outward, as shown by the arrow 54. Similarly, movement of the sleeve member 40 to the right causes the bar member 12 to be moved to the right and swing radially inward to the dotted line position identified by the numeral 12'.

Many different arrangements-could be used for causing the drive sleeve 40 to undergo desired movement. In the subject embodiment, a simple manually operable arrangement is provided. As shown, the drive sleeve 40 has a center bore 56 which is slidably received on a shaft 58. The shaft 58 is threaded in the outer free end of shaft 10 and positively connected therein by a set screw 60. The outer end of shaft 58 is of reduced diameter and threadedly receives a hand wheel or adjusting nut member 62. The inner end or shoulder 64 of the hand wheel 62 bears against the outer end 66 of the drive sleeve 40. Accordingly, by tightening the nut or hand wheel 62 to cause it to move inwardly, the drive sleeve can be driven to the left. Similarly, when the hand wheel is rotated to the left, the sleeve is permitted to move outwardly.

To assure that the sleeve moves radially outwardly when the hand wheel is loosened, a compression spring 68 is positioned to maintain the drive sleeve under a continual outward bias. Note that the compression spring 68 is positioned about the end of shaft 10 between collars 70 and 72. Collar 70 is connected to shaft 10 by a set screw 74, whereas collar 72 is carried on the drive sleeve 40 and connected thereto by a set screw 76.

As can be readily seen from the foregoing description, the overall winding drum assembly is extremely simple in construction. Because of the novel roller chain pivot and drive link assemblies, the precision machining required is reduced to a minimum and both assembly and maintenance are extremely simple.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. An improved expansible mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding or unwinding strip material and comprising in combination:

a rotatable central shaft having radially movable sections carried on and defining outer winding surfaces, each of said sections being pivotally linked to said shaft by a plurality of links of chain with at least a first link rigidly and non-rotatably attached to said shaft, a second link rigidly and nonrotatably attached to said movable sections, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to the end of said first and second links.

2. The improved assembly of claim 1 including means for selectively driving said sections longitudinally relative to the center shaft to impart a radial movement for varying the effective winding diameter of the assembly.

3. The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly includes means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said sections and said center shaft to provide radial expansion and contraction of the effective winding diameter, said means comprising a sleeve adapted to be moved longitudinally on the center shaft and connected to the sections by links of chain.

4. The improved assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein there are at least three of said sections extending substantially the length of said center shaft.

5. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said links are connected to said center shaft by cover plate members which extend over the connected links with a threaded member extending through the plate member and into the center shaft.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including a sleeve slidably mounted on the center shaft and connected to the sections by links'of chain, said sleeve including biasing means acting to move said sleeve in a direction to cause said sections to be moved radially inward.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 6 including manually adjustable means for moving said sleeve against said biasing.

8. An improved expansible mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding or unwinding strip material and comprising in combination; an elongated center shaft carrying a plurality of radially movable sections which define an outer winding surface; each of said sections being individually connected to said cen ter shaft by a plurality of lengths of roller chain of the type having pluralities of recurring links with each length comprising at least three links, a first link of each length being connected to said center shaft and a second link spaced from said first link by at least one link being connected to respective ones of said radially movable sections.

anendlink. 

1. An improved expansible mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding or unwinding strip material and comprising in combination: a rotatable central shaft having radially movable sections carried on and defining outer winding surfaces, each of said sections being pivotally linked to said shaft by a plurality of links of chain with at least a first link rigidly and nonrotatably attached to said shaft, a second link rigidly and non-rotatably attached to said movable sections, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to the end of said first and second links.
 2. The improved assembly of claim 1 including means for selectively driving said sections longitudinally relative to the center shaft to impart a radial movement for varying the effective winding diameter of the assembly.
 3. The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly includes means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said sections and said center shaft to provide radial expansion and contraction of the effective winding diameter, said means comprising a sleeve adapted to be moved longitudinally on the center shaft and connected to the sections by links of chain.
 4. The improved assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein there are at least three of said sections extending substantially the length of said center shaft.
 5. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said links are connected to said center shaft by cover plate members which extend over the connected links with a threaded member extending through the plate member and into the center shaft.
 6. The assembly as defined in claim 1 including a sleeve slidably mounted on the center shaft and connected to the sections by links of chain, said sleeve including biasing means acting to move said sleeve in a direction to cause said sections to be moved radially inward.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 6 including manually adjustable means for moving said sleeve against said biasing.
 8. An improved expansible mandrel assembly particularly suited for use in winding or unwinding strip material and comprising in combination; an elongated center shaft carrying a plurality of radially movable sections which define an outer winding surface; each of said sections being individually connected to said center shaft by a plurality of lengths of roller chain of the type having pluralities of recurring links with each length comprising at least three links, a first link of each length being connected to said center shaft and a second link spaced from said first link by at least one link being connected to respective ones of said radially movable sections.
 9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said links are connected to said center shaft by cover plAte members which are rigidly attached to said center shaft and extend over the rollers of said first link.
 10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first link is an end link. 